In our fast paced world, it is hard for parents to find a balance between focusing on their work and raising their kids. As it has become socially acceptable for mothers to enter the work force, it is now more common than ever to find homes where both parents work full time jobs. In their quest to attain occupational prestige, obtain social acceptance, increase social status, make money, pay the bills, and even keep up with their personal lives, children are often just added to their list of "things to do."
In 2002, with married couples who had children under the age of eighteen, both parents were employed in two-thirds of families. Nine years later, we can assume that the number has risen. So...
Who is raising the kids?
With parents out of the home, children turn to other sources for attention, and entertainment such as:
- Television: Fifty-seven percent of television programs contain "psychologically harmful" violence, according to a study funded by the cable television industry.
- Internet: One in five children online is approached by a sexual predator, and 90 percent of teenagers are online every single day.
- Peers: Spending too much time with peers can lead to use of drugs or alcohol, sexual activity, and a separation from parents.
So what do the kids think about it?
In studies done by Oprah Winfrey and Family TLC, we learn about what kids think of having work focused parents. Kids wanted...
- parents to be less stressed and tired from work
- Quantity and quality time
- "Hang out" time with their parents, along with "focused" time
- Parents to listen
- To feel important to their parents
- To feel loved
